Why do I want a BMW 318ti?

I've got an itch to find a really clean BMW 318ti and I don't know why. I've driven plenty of E36 318's and except for feeling smooth they are endlessly gutless and buzzy. There's something about a cheap BMW without all the doodads that appeals to me a I suppose.....but enough to sell an E24 635CSi for one?

Someone snap me out of this....

22691
"I'm trying to live vicariously through jrod here and my vicarious
life would be better if he had a twin turbo. Or a ****ing pirate
ship." nm+

I had one briefly and they're great cars. Slow yes, but they do quite well on the highway. The one thing that makes that car is the sport package. It adds an M3-esque bodykit, sportier springs, and a wickedly cool interior. Mine had black seats with red cloth inserts. I say do it.

I think the things are pretty ugly, but with the M-Technik front bumper and an S52, I wouldn't hate one. I knew a guy with one similar to what I'm describing (his also being turboed) and I found it interesting.

I bought the 635CSi because as much as I love my wagon, with an automatic and some beef it's a cruiser that can turn well; but it lacks any real gusto. I do enjoy every comfortable and luxurious feature of it.

The 635CSi has it's charms; it makes really wicked, throaty, raw sounds. I mean it sounds fantastic. It's got some balls in EVERY gear, and mixing throttle, LSD, and a big dose of oppo is fun. But it's an old car and, despite being a tight example, just feels......old. But it's not really practical. It's doable...but its never chosen on days when I need to run errands.

So a 318Ti could be, nearly, as practical as my 528 is while still providing a dose of rev happy fun with a stick that I'd miss from the 635. I'd be able to replace two cars with one and be happy with it????

Did any Ti's come with heated seats?

22691
"I'm trying to live vicariously through jrod here and my vicarious
life would be better if he had a twin turbo. Or a ****ing pirate
ship." nm+

I've got an itch to find a really clean BMW 318ti and I don't know why. I've driven plenty of E36 318's and except for feeling smooth they are endlessly gutless and buzzy. There's something about a cheap BMW without all the doodads that appeals to me a I suppose.....but enough to sell an E24 635CSi for one?

Someone snap me out of this....

lol. Has it been six weeks already?

(you go through cars quickly)

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”

I've driven them. It's no more practical than a 635, feels every bit as old, and is still gutless-ish. I like the comfort, quiet, and luxuries of my E39. A properly clean and loaded E36 should be close, while still providing some fun.

I've got a 92 Black and Tan Miata for lightweight fun

22691
"I'm trying to live vicariously through jrod here and my vicarious
life would be better if he had a twin turbo. Or a ****ing pirate
ship." nm+

I've driven them. It's no more practical than a 635, feels every bit as old, and is still gutless-ish. I like the comfort, quiet, and luxuries of my E39. A properly clean and loaded E36 should be close, while still providing some fun.

I've got a 92 Black and Tan Miata for lightweight fun

Yeah.
I actually have looked around for 318tis... but they are hard to find in decent 5 speed shape for cheap (or even not cheap).
But sell the 6 for one?
What's the mpg on the 6?

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”

bmw are amazing cars i have a 2003 e46 325i with 50k miles
but the 318 are the bear minimum of BMW the quality is far from the same as the 325i which is the also one of the slower 3 series cars.

BMW makes cars with more cylinders but can have good gas mileage because they have small cylinders and the 318 i believe is a 4 cylinder, plus the suspension feels like that of a honda not bmw you dont have the same heavy high quality feeling as a true bmw

My boss has one. For sale too, I believe.
It's a California Edition or some such. Big folding sunroof.
Sticky with the weighted shifter from an E36 M3.
He put leather into it. It's a nice little car.
I've driven it extensively. It isn't really a BMW, but it's no Honda.
It is fun to drive, if buzzy but it's certainly not anemic.

...what's an easy swap into these cars? Even a "cooking" 2.5 or 2.8 would be a riot. What's involved?

Don't quote me on this, but a swap shouldnt be difficult. I know 6 cylinder E36 to 6 cylinder E36 swaps will basically bolt right up (i.e. M50 - S50), with only a few small miscellaneous pieces you'll need. I'm not sure about 4 cylinder to 6 cylinder swaps though - Perhaps someone can elaborate on this one. If you're serious about it, theres a ton of info on bimmerforums.com - lots of swapped 318's over there.

Well, according to my trip computer I am averaging between 25.6-26.1mpg.

On the station wagon I average 23-24 mpg.

Believe me, if I could find a 5 speed 528it this wouldn't even be a topic.

I put the 6 on CL yesterday and have gotten interest from a VERY wide area already....like nationally. I guess I have priced it far too low.

Did you clearly show the rear end damage?

If you can get serious coin (and make money) on the 6 and want something else, then go for it.
A 5 speed 318ti is actually a rather practical daily driver.

I drove a nice used one at a BMW dealership maybe ten years ago.
I wasn't particularly impressed due to the rather weak engine and cheap interior (for a BMW), but it did drive very well and the heavy steering and nice seat were good in the corners.
From my experience- the rear wheel drive is not that evident with that car unless you are on a slick surface, which I found odd since I love rear wheel drive. Did BMW tune this car to be very "safe" handling due to the demographic?

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”

Yup, I don't have time or tolerance to bull**** people or be bull****ted.

bull****.

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”

I've got an itch to find a really clean BMW 318ti and I don't know why. I've driven plenty of E36 318's and except for feeling smooth they are endlessly gutless and buzzy. There's something about a cheap BMW without all the doodads that appeals to me a I suppose..

Hey, if I could have afforded a new car in '97-'98, I would have been all over the 318ti. I have a lot of nostalgia for them; go for it!

It's true. My tolerance for bull**** is much lower than most. I don't appreciate it so I don't propagate it.

But you said:

"Yup, I don't have time or tolerance to bull**** people or be bull****ted."

And you obviously have plenty of free time to clean up ****ty used cars.

And FWIW- you might post a pic of the 6ers rear end damage here.
If it did not have that- I would be all for keeping it.
But that damage will co$t $ome $eriou$ coin to fix.

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”

I think the cars you have now--especially the wagon--are a better bet than the weak sister 318ti. I am not a fan of the 4cyl motor, and the E30 based rear suspension is fun until you let off the throttle mid-corner.